Benefits of Feeding Your Pet a Raw Diet

What Is a Raw Diet?

A raw diet for dogs and cats is a way of feeding your pet that consists of uncooked meat, bones, organs, fruits, and vegetables. This diet is designed to mimic the diet that wild dogs and cats would have eaten.

From a nutritional aspect, raw food contains natural enzymes and nutrients that are lost during the processing of commercial pet foods that you see on most store shelves; with added preservatives to outlast the seasons, temperatures, and long-term storage.

From a digestion perspective, raw food is also universally acknowledged to be more easily digestible than processed pet foods since the meaty compounds are more effectively processed by gut and intestinal bacteria. This is because raw food is similar to the diet that dogs and cats evolved to eat before 20th-century kibbles and the like.

Raw food is rich in nutrients that support the immune system, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are essential for a healthy immune system. Additionally, raw foods may contain enzymes that can help your pet's body absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Some Visually Noticeable Benefits of Feeding Your Pet a Raw Diet Include:

Shinier coat and healthier skin: Raw diets are rich in essential fatty acids, which help to keep the skin and coat healthy and hydrated.
Cleaner teeth: Raw meaty bones can help to clean dogs' teeth and prevent tartar buildup.
Reduced stool volume and odor: Raw food is more easily digested than processed pet food, which results in less stool and less odor. Increased energy levels: Raw food is a high-protein diet, which can give dogs and cats more energy.
Improved digestion: Raw food is more easily digested by dogs and cats than processed pet food. This is because raw food contains natural enzymes that help to break down the food.
Stronger immune system: Raw food is rich in nutrients that support the immune system, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

That doesn't mean you should grab just any slab of meat and toss it in the bowl! Domestic dogs and cats have been bred over centuries for specific traits, such as temperament and appearance. This breeding process has also led to changes in their physiology and digestion.

For example, domestic dogs and cats have shorter digestive tracts than their wild ancestors. This means that they may be more susceptible to infections from harmful bacteria in raw food. So make sure you are using meats that are certified all-natural meats, with no chemicals or preservatives. We've done our research and compiled a short list of some Do's and Don'ts to help you shop, buy, and serve with confidence.

Purchase raw food from a reputable source

Raw food diets for dogs and cats can be a healthy option, but it is important to purchase from a reputable source to ensure that the food is fresh and safe.

Raw food can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning in both pets and humans, so it is important to choose a source that follows strict food safety guidelines, including no added chemicals and preservatives.

When purchasing raw food for your dog or cat, it is important to choose a reputable source. This means choosing a source that uses high-quality ingredients and follows strict food safety guidelines.

Here are some tips for finding a reputable source of raw food:

Look for a source that is certified by a third-party organization, such as the American Feed Industry Association (AAFCO) or the Pet Food Institute (PFI). These organizations have strict standards for pet food safety and nutrition.
Ask around for recommendations from other pet owners who feed their pets raw food.
Read reviews of different raw food brands and sources online.
Visit the source in person, if possible, to see how the food is prepared and stored.

Once you have found a reputable source of raw food, it is important to inspect the food carefully before feeding it to your pet. Make sure that the food is fresh and free of any mold or discoloration. The food should also be properly packaged to prevent contamination.

Here are some reputable sources (no affiliation) for buying raw dog and cat foods:

Raw Dog Food Complete offers a wide variety of raw dog food products, including complete meals, grinds, organs, bones, and whole cuts. They also have a variety of supplements available to ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients they need.

Hare Today specializes in freeze-dried raw dog food. Their products are made with human-grade ingredients and are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Greentripe has a variety of raw beef products for dogs, including green tripe, bones, and organ meats. Their products are grass-fed and certified organic.

Tucker's Raw Food & Bones offers a variety of frozen raw dog food products, including complete meals, grinds, and bones. Their products are made with USDA-certified ingredients and are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Darwin's Natural Pet Food products are made with human-grade ingredients and are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. This company offers a variety of frozen raw dog and cat food products, including custom-formulated diets.

Thaw frozen raw food completely before feeding it to your pet

Frozen raw food should be thawed completely before feeding it to your pet. This will help to prevent your pet from developing stomach upset or diarrhea. Frozen raw food can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours.

Thaw in the fridge overnight. This is the safest way to thaw frozen raw food, as it allows it to thaw slowly and evenly.

Thaw in cold water. If you need to thaw the food more quickly, you can place it in a sealed bag or container and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Be sure to change the water every 30 minutes or so.

Don't thaw at room temperature. This is the most dangerous way to thaw frozen raw food, as it can promote bacteria growth.

Once the food is completely thawed, you can feed it to your pet as usual. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw food, and sanitize all surfaces and utensils that come into contact with it.

Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw food

Raw food is messy stuff! It can contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. These bacteria can cause food poisoning, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In some cases, food poisoning can be serious and life-threatening.

After handling raw food, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. It is important to wash your hands after handling raw food, even if you are wearing gloves. Gloves can tear or leak, which can allow bacteria to get onto your hands.

Supervise your pet while they are eating raw bones and remove any small bones that they are not able to chew safely! It is important to supervise your pet while they are eating small raw bones as there are a few risks involved: choking, digestive problems, injuries, and swallowing the bone whole.

Here are some tips on how to safely supervise your pet while they are eating a raw bone:

Choose a bone that is the appropriate size for your pet. A bone that is too large can be a choking hazard, while a bone that is too small can be swallowed whole

Give your pet the bone in a quiet area where they will not be disturbed. This will help to reduce the risk of your pet choking on the bone or injuring themselves

Take the bone away from your pet once they have finished eating it. This will help to prevent them from swallowing any pieces of bone that have broken off

Monitor your pet's behavior after they have eaten a raw bone. If they experience any digestive problems or seem to be in discomfort, contact your veterinarian immediately

Big bones offer some great health benefits that your dog will enjoy! From a dental hygiene perspective chewing on bones can help to remove plaque and tartar from your pet's teeth, preventing gum disease. Pets also gain mental stimulation by chewing on bones and can provide your pet with hours of entertainment and mental stimulation. Bones are a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that your pet needs.

Here are some additional tips for feeding your pet a raw food diet

Try introducing raw food to your pet's diet gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of raw food into your pet's current diet. You can start with as little as 10% raw food and gradually increase the amount over 7-10 days. If your pet is hesitant to eat the raw food, you can try warming it up slightly or mixing it with a bit of bone broth.

Here is a sample transition schedule:

Day 1-3: 10% raw food, 90% current diet

Day 4-6: 20% raw food, 80% current diet

Day 7-9: 30% raw food, 70% current diet

Day 10-12: 40% raw food, 60% current diet

Day 13-15: 50% raw food, 50% current diet

Day 16-18: 60% raw food, 40% current diet

Day 19-21: 70% raw food, 30% current diet

Day 22-24: 80% raw food, 20% current diet

Day 25-27: 90% raw food, 10% current diet Day 28+: 100% raw food

It's important to choose a variety of raw meats, bones, and organs to ensure that your pet is getting a balanced diet. By feeding your pet a variety of raw meats, bones, and organs, you can ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need for a healthy diet.

Here are some examples of different types of meats, bones, and organs that you can feed your pet:

Meats:

Variety of proteins: Different meats provide different nutrients, so it's important to feed your pet a variety of proteins. For example, beef is a good source of iron and zinc, while chicken is a good source of niacin and vitamin B6.

Essential amino acids: Meat is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids that your pet needs. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are essential for muscle growth and repair.

Bones:

Calcium and phosphorus: Bones are a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for strong bones and teeth.

Bone marrow: Bone marrow is a good source of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It's also a good source of hematopoietic cells, which are responsible for producing red blood cells.

Organs:

Vitamins and minerals: Organs are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, and copper.

Enzymes: Organs contain enzymes that help your pet's body digest food and absorb nutrients.

You can feed your pet raw meats, bones, and organs fresh, frozen, or dried. If you are feeding your pet frozen or dried meats, bones, and organs, be sure to thaw them completely before feeding.

If you have any questions or concerns about feeding your pet a raw diet, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. They can help you create a personalized plan for your pet's individual needs.

Be cautious while starting this process. Monitor your pet's stool and overall health during the transition period. If they experience any digestive upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, slow down the transition process or stop feeding raw food altogether. Once your pet is fully transitioned to raw food, you can start to introduce new proteins and other ingredients. It is important to do this gradually to avoid any digestive issues.

Let's get started! The good news is that it's easy to make sure your pet is getting the right raw food ingredients. Here at 5Stands Affordable Testing, we offer a Pet Raw Food Intolerance Test that helps you decipher what foods your pet has an intolerance to and what raw foods are best for them to consume!